A BASIC GUIDE TO LIBRARY RESEARCH

LOCATING INFORMATION

Once, you have chosen your topic, remember these important points:

• Break the project down into manageable steps.
• Work on one step at a time. Allow yourself enough time to complete each step. Consult the reference librarian whenever you have a question about:
  • What to do next
  • How to use a specific research tool
  • Where to find something
  • How to document your research
• Keep a list of key search terms used in the different research tools and especially in electronic searching. You may need to use them later in the search process.
• Carefully document each source used.

Six Steps in Successful Library Research

1. ENCYCLOPEDIAS.
   • Begin researching your topic in general encyclopedias. Note important concepts, key terms, aspects of your topic which interest you, and bibliographies.
   • Then examine any subject encyclopedias that cover your topic. Articles in subject encyclopedias are written by experts, give in-depth information, and usually contain extensive bibliographies to lead you to additional sources. Module 2 has a list of subject encyclopedias.
2. CURRENT EVENTS SOURCES
   • Print sources like CQ Researcher, SIRS, and Taking Sides can help you focus on an aspect of a current events or controversial topic. A Matter of Fact, CQ Researcher, and Information Series on Current Topics are good sources of statistics. Ask the reference librarian for other reference sources related to your topic.
   • Also, be sure to check the library’s pamphlet/clipping file pamphlet/clipping file. Ask at the Periodicals Desk for an index to the Pamphlet/ Clipping File.
3. PERIODICAL ARTICLES
   • Identify periodical articles on your topic. Use the print source, Readers’ Guide to Periodical Literature.
   • Also use electronic sources available through the Online Databases for periodical indexes, like Academic Search Premier. Because indexes are usually several weeks in preparation, you may need to consult the last few issues of periodicals related to your topic for the most recent articles which are not yet listed in indexes. Consult Module 2, for electronic searching techniques.
4. NEWSPAPER ARTICLES
   • Identify newspaper articles on your topic. Use print sources, like NewsBank Index (which indexes over 450 newspaper titles) and Editorials on File (for editorials).
   • The full-text articles from sources like, Dallas Morning News, New York Times, and Wall Street Journal, as well as Business Dateline (which indexes over 350 local and regional business newspapers), and Texas Newspapers are available on electronic databases through the Online Databases. Consult Module 2 for electronic searching techniques.
5. BOOKS
   • Identify books on your topic. Use the online library catalog. Consult Library of Congress Subject Headings in Module 2 for key subject headings for the catalog. Consult " Using Boolean to Search Library Catalogs and Electronic Databases by Keyword" in Module 2, for information on keyword searching. You may also consult the online library catalog from the Dallas County Community Colleges Library home page on the Web.
6. INTERNET RESOURCES
   • Use simple keyword Internet search engines like Google or Ixquick to locate additional information on your topic. For more information on using Internet resources see.

TOP

SAMPLE SEARCH STRATEGY: The Human Brain

Let's suppose that you have chosen "The Human Brain" as your research topic. Using the step-by-step approach to research, here is a sample of possible sources from each category that you might choose.

Search general encyclopedias for an overview of topic, basic concepts, basic vocabulary, bibliography.

Possible sources:

• World Book
• Encyclopedia Britannica

Search at least two subject encyclopedias for an in-depth article written by an expert in a particular discipline.
Look for a bibliography at the end of each article to lead you to additional useful sources.

Possible sources:

• McGraw-Hill Encyclopedia of Science and Technology
• Encyclopedia of Human Biology
• Encyclopedia of Learning and Memory
• Encyclopedia of Psychology

Use specialized handbooks and yearbooks for recent research, statistics, quotations, and other pertinent material.

Possible sources:

• McGraw Hill Encyclopedia of Science and Technology Yearbook
• Britannica Book of the Year and/or World Book Yearbook
• A Matter of Fact

Search periodical indexes for the last three years to identify articles in magazines and journals.

Possible sources:

• Readers’ Guide to Periodical Literature
• Electronic databases, like Academic Search Premier.

Search newspaper indexes for the last three years to locate articles in newspapers.

Possible sources:

• Newspaper Source or InfoTrac Newspapers (full-text of articles on an Internet database)
• NewsBank Infoweb (full-text of articles on an Internet database available at Richland Library)

Examine material in the Current Issues Collection for recent material. And, examine any relevant pamphlets and clippings.

Possible sources:

• CQ Researcher (formerly Editorial Research Reports)
• SIRS
• Annual Editions
• Pamphlet/Clipping File
• Opposing Viewpoints Pamphlets

Search the library’s Online Catalog to locate books.

Possible subject headings to search:

• Brain
• Left and Right (Psychology)
• Mind and Body

Examine any relevant Internet sources. Yahoo! is a good starting place.

Carefully note URL’s or Internet addresses of the sources you plan to use. You must include the URL in your Works Cited information. Possible search engines to use:

• Google
• Yahoo!
• Alta Vista
• Ixquick
• Teoma

Ask the reference librarians if they know of any other sources. New books and articles arrive every day!

TOP

TIPS ON PLANNING YOUR RESEARCH

Before going directly to the library and gazing in astonishment at all the books and reference works available, you should take a few minutes to plan your research. When you plan your research activities, you will be less overwhelmed by the sheer volume of material at your disposal; furthermore, you will be able to go directly to the material you need, without being influenced by material that does not pertain to your project. In addition, you will save a considerable amount of time since you will know exactly what you are looking for.

1. Choose a subject and limit its scope:
   • Unlimited Topic: Unemployment
   • Slightly Limited: Unemployment in the 1990's
   • More Limited: White Collar Unemployment in the 1990's
   • Limited: Effect on College Graduates
2. Turn your limited topic into a central question:
   Add "how" or "why" to your limited topic. For example:
   • How will college graduates respond to unemployment in the 1990's?
   • Why will college graduates have difficulty finding jobs in the 1990's?
3. Develop a series of investigative questions:
   Ask: WHO, WHAT, WHEN, WHERE, WHY, HOW such as...
   • Who are the authorities in this field?
   • What is their position pro and con?
   • When were the important developments made in this field?
   • Where did the developments have the most impact?
   • Why are these developments important?
   • How did they effect the outcome?
4. Develop a goal-based research plan. Decide what you want to accomplish and what kinds of facts, reasons, examples will help you achieve your goal. Use ideas from paragraphs 2 and 3 above to develop your plan:
   • I intend to uncover how/why:
   • The authorities in this field are:
   • Their positions on the subject include:
   • The important developments include:
   • These developments have the most impact on:
   • These developments are important because:
   • The outcome will be:

Adapted from: Library Research: How to Get the Facts You Need Without Wasting Time. Franklin: Dahlstrom, 1980. Linda Flower, Problem Solving Strategies for Writing. 2nd ed. San Diego: Harcourt, 1985.

TOP

WAYS TO SAVE TIME

Use cards.

• Use cards of different sizes or colors to distinguish between works cited and notes.
• Get full information about the source. (See: "What Information Will I Need To Document a Source?".)
• Number each "works cited" (or bibliography) card with a source number. (If the item is a book, it helps to note the call number so you can find it again easily, if necessary)

Put source number on each note card.

• Put only one idea on each note card.
• Be careful to indicate the page number from which your "note" came.

TOP